RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04647

  						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded:

a. The Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). (Administratively corrected)

b.  The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Vietnam from December 1962 through December 1963 and was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).  He believes he is entitled to and deserves to be awarded the VCM and VSM.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 5 October 1960.

On 2 October 1964, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 28 days of active service, to include 11 months and 11 days of foreign service. 

AFPC/DP1SP has verified that the applicant had boots on ground foreign service time at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.  Additionally, his DD Form 214, effective 2 October 1964, reflects the correct amount of foreign service.

AFPC/DP1SP has verified that the applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P), Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), and will administratively correct his records.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the applicant’s request to be awarded the VSM.  It appears the applicant has been recognized for his Vietnam service with award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM); therefore, to also award the VSM would constitute dual recognition.  However, they recommend the applicant advice the Board if he would like to retain award of the AFEM or exchange it for award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS).  If the applicant chooses the exchange, his awarded AFEM will be removed from his official military personnel record.   

The VSM was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965, and before 28 March 1973. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal. To be eligible, a service member must be  permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in directly supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a	crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

In addition, Executive Order 11231 allows service members who earned the AFEM for service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 4 July 1965, to exchange their AFEM for the VSM.  However, no service member may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 10 August 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  The Board would like to point out to the applicant that if he would like to exchange his AFEM for award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS), he will need to inform the Board.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04647 in Executive Session on 15 December 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 27 Oct 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 28 Jul 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Aug 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter with regard to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04647.